ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Post- COVID situation provides an opportunity for India to boost its economywith the support of vast Bamboo resources: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Bamboo is vital to India's Post- COVID economy and will provide an opportunity for India to emerge as an economic power with the support of its Bamboo resources.
Addressing a Bamboo Conclave through Video Conference here, in which representatives of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region , the Union Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders from different sectors participated, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Northeast consists 60% of India’s reserve of Bamboo and it is a great advantage that under Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, while this government has over the last six years accorded highest priority to the development of the North Eastern region, it has at the same time given the Bamboo sector the kind of boost which it had never received since independence. In this regard, he referred to the amendment in the 100 year old Indian Forest Act brought about by the Modi government in 2017, as a result of which, home grown bamboo has been exempted from it in order to enhance livelihood opportunities through bamboo.
The sensitivity with which the Modi government views the importance of the promotion of Bamboo, said Dr Jitendra Singh, is evident from the fact even during the lockdown period, the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 16th, while allowing limited activities in different sectors, also allowed the functioning of bamboo related activities like planting, process etc.
It is an irony, said Dr Jitendra Singh, while the total requirement of “Agarbatti” in India is about 2,30,000 per annum and the market value of it is up to Rs 5000 crore, we have been importing a large bulk of it from countries like China and Vietnam. In the Post - COVID era, it is an opportunity for the North Eastern region to help India become world competitive and self-sufficient in the changed scenario, he said.
In the near future, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Ministry of North East will try to work out a time bound plan for promotion of bamboo manufacturing and trade, and also work out feasibility of Public Private Partnership  in this sector. He said, bamboo can be processed into multiple products, including bio-diesel and green fuel, wooden lumbers and plywood, which can change the entire face of the economy and create employment opportunities in multiple sectors.
Among those who spoke in the Conclave included Indever Pandey, Special Secretary Ministry of DoNER, AlkaBhargav Additional Secretary union Ministry of Agriculture, Ramvir Singh Joint Secretary DoNER, ShailenderChoudhary MD CBTC and North East Handicraft & Handloom Development Corporation  and Anna Sahab M K Patil, Member, National Bamboo Mission and former Minister. The Conclave was moderated by Sanjay Ganjoo, Director General, Indian Federation of Green Energy .
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Ministry of Finance
Meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities and Experts on Tax Matters held virtually under Chairship of India
The Heads of Tax Authorities of the BRICS countries, namely the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa held a virtual meeting here today under the Chairship of India.Shri Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, Revenue, Government of India, in his capacity as Head of Tax Authorities in India, presided over this meeting.
The BRICS Tax Authorities engaged in discussion on the challenges faced by BRICS tax administrations in the digital era, coupled with outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, sharing experience and devising strategies to overcome those challenges. The broad theme of the meeting was redefining business processes of tax administration amidst challenges posed by COVID-19 and in the digital era. During the meetings, the tax authorities also exchanged opinions and views based on existing commitment to the principles of mutual respect, consolidation and continuity as stated in the XIII BRICS Summit, New Delhi Declaration issued on 9th September, 2021.
The meeting was preceded by meetings of the Tax Experts of BRICS countries on 13th & 14th September, 2021. In this meeting, the tax experts discussed potential areas of cooperation, exchanged views and the experiences. The discussion took place around relevant topics which include digitisation of tax administration, leveraging technology for tackling tax evasion, changing role of tax administration from enforcement to service, preparedness and strategies to deal with challenges of COVID-19 and evolution of tax administration to enhance voluntary compliance by taxpayers.
A communiqué was also issued at the conclusion of the Tax Heads meeting.
Ministry of Textiles
Centre clears 23 Strategic Projects worth Rs 60 Crore in the areas of Specialty Fibres, Composites, Sustainable Textiles, Mobiltech, Sportech and Geotech segment under the Flagship Programme National Technical Textiles Mission 
Industry and Academia connect is essential for the growth of research and development in the application areas of Technical Textiles in India: Shri Piyush Goyal
A higher number of promotional activities are required for attracting mega research projects in the country: Shri Goyal
The Ministry of Textiles cleared 23 strategic research projects worth around INR 60 crores in the areas of Specialty fibres, Sustainable Textiles, Geotextiles, Mobiltech and Sports textiles under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, on 14th of September 2022. These strategic research projects fall under the Flagship Programme ‘National Technical Textiles Mission.’
Among these 23 Research projects, 12 Projects of Speciality Fibres having application areas in Agriculture, Smart Textiles, Healthcare, Strategic Application and Protective gears were cleared. 4 Projects from Sustainable Textiles having application area in Agriculture and Healthcare Sector were cleared. Also, 5 projects from Geotextile, 1 from Mobiltech and 1 from Sportech were cleared.
Member NITI Aayog  & Principle Scientific Advisor  provided inputs pertaining to Technical Textile for the meeting along with Line Ministries. Various leading Indian Institutes including IITs, Government Organizations, and Eminent Industrialists, among others participated in the session which cleared projects strategic for the development of Indian economy and a step in the direction of Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially in the Healthcare, Industrial and Protective, Energy Storage, Agriculture and Infrastructure.
While addressing the esteemed group of Scientists and Technical Technologists, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Industry and Academia connect is essential for the growth of research and development in the application areas of Technical Textiles in India. Building convergence with Academicians, Scientists and Researchers is the need of the hour.”
Shri Piyush Goyal emphasised on the importance of contributions of technology and segment experts, scientists and academicians to India’s technical textiles future growth.
Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted that the technological gap in the country needs to be addressed in the field of technical textiles. Identification of the area of research in technical textiles with industry interaction and promotional activities like conferences, exhibition, and buyer-seller meet to promote the use of Technical Textile in the country and to increase the exports to be the key focus areas.
Special Service and Features
Vice President of India to arrive in Kochi tomorrow  for visiting Kerala and Lakshadweep
Kochi, December 30, 2021
The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will arrive in Kochi tomorrow  to visit Kerala and Lakshadweep. On the same day, he will proceed to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.
On Saturday , the Vice President will inaugurate two Arts and Science Colleges at Kadamath and Androth in a function to be held at the Arts and Science College at Kadamath.
Returning to Kochi on Sunday , the Vice President will visit the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard. Later Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will visit DRDO's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory  at Kakkanad, Kochi and will lay the foundation stone of Towed Array Integration Facility here.
Arriving in Kottayam from Kochi on Monday , the Vice President will attend the 150th death anniversary of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara as the chief guest in a function to be held at St Ephrem's Higher Secondary School. The programme is being organized by CMI-CMC of Mannanam. He will then arrive in Kochi in the afternoon and a book titled 'Outcome based Education-Experiments of a Higher Education Institution' will be presented to the Vice President in a function to be held at the Circuit House in Kochi.
The Vice President will also be the chief guest and will lay the Foundation Stone of the ICAI Bhawan, Ernakulam in a ceremony to be held at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Kochi in the evening.
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Ministry of Rural Development
Boost to the vulnerable rural families in Jammu & Kashmir
Special Package to Jammu & Kashmir for implementation of DAY-NRLM – Umeed extended
Cabinet approves funds to J&K under DAY – NRLM without linking it with poverty ratio
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modihas approved the extension of timeline for implementation of the Special Package under DeendayalAntyodayaYojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission  for Jammu & Kashmir for another period of one year during 2018-19.
The Cabinet also approved allocation of funds to the State under DAY-NRLM on a need basis for implementation of the Special Package without linking it with poverty ratio. There is no additional financial implication as the approval is to extend the time line to cover two thirds of the vulnerable households in the State within in the originally approved financial outlay of Rs. 755.32 crore. An amount of Rs.143.604 crore will be required for the period of one year during 2018-19.
Impact:
- This will help in covering all the vulnerable rural households in the State  within a definite time frame.
- It will ensure mobilization of households under the auto inclusion category and households with at least one deprivation category listed in the Socio Economic Caste Census – 2011.
- It will also ensure coverage of all the blocks in Jammu & Kashmir under DAY-NRLM and ensures social inclusion, social development, promotion of livelihoods leading to poverty alleviation in the State.
Background:
Due to unavoidable reasons and disturbed conditions in the State, the Special Package as approved in May 2013 could not be fully implemented. Now, the State Government has requested Government of India to consider extension of the earlier approved implementation schedule of the Special Package and continued funding of DAY-NRLM in Jammu and Kashmir on a demand driven basis without linking allocation with poverty ratio during this extended period. Hence the approval by the Cabinet which will give a boost to the vulnerable rural families in Jammu & Kashmir.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 47.22 Cr
Recovery Rate stands at 97.35%
40,134 Daily New Cases reported in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  presently constitutes 1.31% of total cases
Daily Positivity Rate  less than 5% for 56 consecutive days
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coveragehas exceeded 47.22 Cr. Cumulatively,47,22,23,639 vaccine doses have been administered through 55,99,690 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. 17,06,598 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
These include:
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|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
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1,03,11,380
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2nd Dose
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78,56,466
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FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
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1,79,78,353
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2nd Dose
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1,13,65,816
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
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15,70,22,578
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2nd Dose
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88,94,835
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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10,65,50,619
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2nd Dose
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3,94,29,559
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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7,61,31,656
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2nd Dose
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|
3,66,82,377
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Total
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47,22,23,639
The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from 21st June, 2021. The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
Out of the people infected since the beginning of the pandemic, 3,08,57,467 people have already recovered from COVID-19 and 36,946 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 97.35%.
India has reported 40,134 daily new cases in the last 24 hours.
Less than 50,000 Daily New Cases have been reported since thirty-six continuous days. This is a result of sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs.
India’s Active Caseload today stands at 4,13,718and active cases now constitute1.31% of the country's total Positive Cases.
With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 14,28,984 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 46.96 crore  tests so far.
While on one side testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 2.37% and the Daily Positivity rate stands at 2.81% today. Daily Positivity rate has remained below 5%for 56 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Finance
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22–Series-IV- Issue price
In terms of Government of India Notification No.4-B/2021 dated May 12, 2021, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2021-22  will be opened for the period July 12-16, 2021 with Settlement date July 20, 2021. The issue price of the Bond during the subscription period shall be Rs 4,807  – per gram, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated 9th July, 2021.
The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow discount of Rs 50  per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be Rs 4,757  per gram of gold.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Kochi, Kerala on 27 January 2019
PM to dedicate to the nation Integrated Refinery Expansion Complex in Kochi
and Mounded Storage Vessel at LPG Bottling Plant in Kochi
PM to lay foundation stone for Petrochemical complex at BPCL Kochi Refinery
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kochi in Kerala on 27 January, 2019. During the visit,
he will unveil the plaque to mark the dedication to the nation of Integrated Refinery Expansion Complex, BPCL Kochi on January 27,2019. He will also lay foundation stone for Petrochemical Complex at the same venue. PM will inaugurate Mounded Storage Vessel at IOCL LPG bottling plant, Kochi and lay foundation stone for Skill Development Institute at Ettumanoor.
Integrated Refinery Expansion Complex will be a modern expansion complex and transform Kochi refinery into the largest PSU Refinery in India with world class standards. It will be equipped for production of cleaner Fuels for India. It will double the production of LPG & diesel and commence production of feedstock for petrochemical projects in this plant.
Mounded Storage Vessel, IOCL LPG Bottling Plant, Kochi will have a total storage capacity 4350 MT. Storage capacity at the plant is enhanced to meet the LPG requirement of nearly 6 days bottling capacity of plant. It is the safest storage vessel ensuring highest level of safety for plant and adjacent areas. LPG receipt through pipeline will bring down movement of LPG tankers on roads.
Petrochemical complex, BPCL Kochi refinery is a Make in India initiative aimed at reducing dependence on imports. Propylene derivative petrochemical & polyol project will catalyse many downstream industries.
Skill Development Institute at Ettumanoor backed by the Ministry of Petrochemical & Natural Gas will provide vocational training and enhance employability and entrepreneurship for deserving youth both in oil & gas and other industries.
This world class institute will be set up at an eight acre campus allocated by Government of Kerala.
It will have a capacity to skill around 1000 youth per year in 20 different skills.
PM earlier visited Kerala on January 15, 2019 to inaugurate Kollam bypass and also visited Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR - NIScPR and KAMP: Workshop on Science Communication
In the Day 3 of One Week One Lab program of CSIR-NIScPR. A workshop on science communication was organised where more than 50 teachers joined the event and received the training of various facets of science communication by the experts. In the workshop, Shri C. B. Singh, Head, Jigyasa, Training and HR Division of CSIR-NIScPR delivered a welcome address. In her keynote address in the workshop addressing the science teachers Chief Guest Prof. Sharmishtha Banerjee, University of Hyderabad, emphasized teaching interdisciplinary science to the students. She said that all the subjects including biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics are inter-related and we have to tell this to our students in an effective manner.
Ms. Arika Mathur, Head - Operations and Assesments, KAMP captivated the audience with her in-depth presentation on the Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform  - an initiative of CSIR-NIScPR and NCPL. KAMP aims to unearth the innate talents and skills in our students, and the teachers were visibly enthusiastic about this endeavor.
Explaining Science Communication and Citizen Responsibility at the workshop, Shri Hasan Jawaid Khan, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Editor of ‘Science Reporter’ magazine, said, “It’s a responsibility of every citizen of the country to create more awareness about misinformation and fake news about science.
Ms. Sonali Nagar, Associate Editor, Science Reporter magazine showed a presentation to the teachers training them in the nuances of Popular Science Writing. The workshop ended with the Popular Science Writing assignment given by Shri Hasan Jawaid Khan.
About CSIR-NIScPR and KAMP:
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research  is one of the constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research  under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. It specializes in the fields of science communication, Science, Technology, and Innovation  focused on evidence-based policy research and studies.
KAMP is an Initiative and Knowledge Alliance of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research  - National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research  and industrial partner M/S Nysa Communications Pvt. Ltd. , it intends to develop creativity, meaningful learning, critical reading and thinking skills that brings out the inherent abilities of the students.
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Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways operate 642 “Shramik Special” trains till 13th May, 2020 across the country
Around 7.90 Lacs passengers have reached their home State
Passengers are being given free meals and water
Trains being run by Railways only after concurrence is given both by the State which is sending the passengers and the State which is receiving them
Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains,Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains.
As on 13th May 2020, a total of 642 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country. Around 7.90 Lacs passengers have reached their home State. Trains being run by Railways only after concurrence is given both by the State which is sending the passengers and the State which is receiving them.
These 642 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh , Bihar , Chattisgarh , Himachal Pradesh , Jammu & Kashmir , Jharkhand , Karnataka , Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra , Manipur , Mizoram , Odisha , Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu , Telangana, Tripura , Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand , West Bengal.
Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.
UPSC
Recruitment Results finalized by UPSC in May, 2019
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of MAY, 2019. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here for details
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MoU signed between Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and NAFED to boost International Year of Millets -2023
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited in New Delhi yesterday to boost the initiative visioned by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote Millets towards celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023.
Both organizations will work together for the promotion and marketing of millet-based products, keeping in view the initiative of “International Year of Millets -2023” proposed by the Government of India to the United Nations, which is to be celebrated across the world. As India is gearing up to bring millet back on the global map, they will build support and organize, promote, market, and forge effective market linkages for millet-based products to maximize the value capture and millet-based commodities across the country.
DA&FW and NAFED will collaborate in key areas like facilitating advisory support to manufacturers/processors of millet-based products to develop value-added millet-based commodities; on-boarding of start-ups, inclusive of start-ups empanelled with Indian Institute of Millets Research ; formation of FPOs specifically for developing a range of millet-based products; promote and market millet-based products through the network of NAFED Bazaar Stores and other institutions linked with NAFED as well as installation of Millet based Vending Machines at various locations across Delhi-NCR; and dispensing millet-based products that shall assist in establishing the focus on millet-based commodities.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Ministry of Civil Aviation grants drone use permission to Directorate of Urban Local Bodies , Haryana
Drone use to help in development of AMRUT cities
Ministry of Civil Aviation  and Directorate General of Civil Aviation  have granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System  Rules, 2021 to Directorate of Urban Local Bodies , Haryana. The exemption has been allowed for data acquisition, mapping, and implementation of web-based GIS platform for development of AMRUT cities and property tax survey for Hisar, Panchkula, Ambala urban areas.
This exemption is valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or until further orders, whichever is earlier and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the SOP issued by DGCA.
List of locations of Directorate of Urban Local Bodies , Haryana approved for drone operations:
1. Ambala 10. Palwal
2. Bahadurgarh 11. Panchkula
3. Bhiwani 12. Panipat
4. Faridabad 13. Rewari
5. Gurugram 14. Rohtak
6. Hisar 15. Sirsa
7. Jind 16. Sonepat
8. Kaithal 17. Thanesar
9. KarnaI 18. Yamunanagar
Link to Public Notice
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